Alexandria Township Ed Foundation benefit and auction set for March 1

The Alexandria Township Education Foundation (ATEF) will hold a wine tasting benefit and its annual auction at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse on Friday, March 1. Tickets are $45 per person in advance and $55 per person at the door.

The event is sponsored by Little Brothers Beverage Outlet in Flemington, which will provide free samplings of dozens of wines and beers from around the world. A variety of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, coffee and desserts will also be served. A cash bar will be open for those who do not wish to sample wines. The foundation will also host its annual live and silent auctions, and a 50/50 raffle.

The ATEF is a non-profit group comprised of volunteers who raise money for programs that directly support programs for the Alexandria Township School District. Teachers in the township's two schools, Lester D. Wilson Elementary School and Alexandria Middle School, apply for grants from the foundation to fund programs and technology to supplement the core curriculum.

Since its founding in 1997, the ATEF has funded more than $230,000 in enrichment programs that have touched many subject areas and every grade level. This year, the foundation is funding grants for ebooks for the school library, another large war and remembrance project led by the AMS social studies teachers, "Shakespeare Live" show, a live reptile presentation for LDW elementary students, and more.

The benefit/auction is the foundation's main fundraiser for the year to raise money to support these grants.